{"id":555646,"date":"2026-01-13T10:38:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T08:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=555646"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T08:38:32","slug":"romania-largest-eu-diaspora-orthodox-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/romania-largest-eu-diaspora-orthodox-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Romania has EU\u2019s largest diaspora as millions seek work abroad, Church becomes anchor for communities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Romania is the European Union country with the largest number of citizens living outside its borders. More than 3 million Romanians reside legally in EU member states, according to Eurostat data<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The real number is higher, however, given that not all Romanians in the diaspora appear in official statistics, especially those who have acquired citizenship in their countries of residence.<\/p>\n

In recent years, a significant number of Romanians have left countries such as Spain and Italy\u2014affected by rising prices and economic instability\u2014choosing Germany or the United Kingdom instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past decade, the number of Romanians who have moved to Germany has doubled, rising from 450,000 to more than 900,000,\u201d according to data from Germany\u2019s Federal Statistical Office cited by Pro TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A second home for Romanians abroad<\/h2>\n

A relevant example is the Romanian parish in Bayreuth, near Nuremberg, where Father Radu T\u0103ut serves. The community in the Bayreuth\u2013Hof region numbers more than 5,000 Romanians and, for a long time, lacked a permanent priest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey truly find in the Church a second home. Unfortunately, many Romanians in Germany do not speak German, and during the workweek, when we are away at work, it is quite difficult to talk to someone. On Sundays, in church, they find a moment to unburden themselves and to reconnect with something from home,\u201d Father Radu T\u0103ut told Pro TV.<\/p>\n

To serve the community, the priest persuaded the local Catholic parish to rent its church, providing Romanian Orthodox faithful with a place of worship.<\/p>\n

The Church also plays a vital role in preserving the Romanian language and identity among children born or raised in the diaspora. Andreea T\u0103ut, the priest\u2019s wife in the Bayreuth community, explained:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to organise activities similar to those I experienced as a child, so that those here\u2014even if many of them have never been to Romania and struggle to speak Romanian\u2014make greater efforts to speak Romanian once they start coming to church.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Romanian parish in Bayreuth, together with its priest, Radu T\u0103ut. Photo: Facebook \/ Parohia Ortodox\u0103 Rom\u00e2n\u0103 Bayreuth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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More than 1,100 Romanian parishes in the EU<\/h2>\n

To meet the needs of a continuously growing diaspora, the Romanian Orthodox Church has developed an extensive ecclesiastical structure across Europe.<\/p>\n

According to data compiled from Romanian dioceses within the EU, more than 1,100 parishes, non-parochial churches, and missions are currently operating. These are organised within several dioceses in the diaspora, including:<\/p>\n